Joncol primed for Durkan Chase double
The massively-built eight-year-old, winner of both the Durkan and Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown in the 2009-2010 season, is considered to be better than ever by trainer Paul Nolan and primed to earn a third Grade 1 success.
Without a win last season, Joncol made a successful return to action at Thurles early last month, when proving 12 lengths superior to Cooldine, which reopposes tomorrow.
With Barry Geraghty opting to ride last year’s winner Tranquil Sea, Paul Carberry takes over on Joncol. And Paul Nolan’s charge should take plenty of beating, despite strong opposition.
Tranquil Sea won this event (run at Fairyhouse) 12 months ago and proved his current well-being when completing back-to-back wins in the Clonmel Oil Chase last month. He deserves plenty of respect.
The progressive Rubi Light is the highest-rated horse in tomorrow’s field, bidding to build on his fine third to Albertas Run in Cheltenham’s Ryanair Chase and a hugely encouraging seasonal debut at Gowran, when he had the measure of Sizing Europe when falling at the final obstacle in a Grade 2.
Cooldine has been generally disappointing since his RSA win in 2009, but will strip fitter than when beaten by Joncol at Thurles. And his stable-companion Kempes, which won the Hennessy at Leopardstown last February, was primed for this test by a recent spin over hurdle in Cork.
Three graded races on tomorrow’s card in Cork, where Golden Silver, with Emmet Mullins in the saddle, should have little difficulty in making a winning return to action in the Grade Hilly Way Chase.
Farrells Fancy, no match for Sword of Destiny over course and distance recently, might gain compensation for Terence O’Brien in the Grade 3 Cork Stayers Novice Hurdle.
The combination of Charles Byrnes and Davy Russell have double prospects with Trifolium, a beaten favourite at Thurles last month, in the opening maiden hurdle and Wexford winner Knockfierna in the Grade 3 Lombardstown Mares Novice Chase.
Knockfierna should reverse Limerick form with Golden Sunbird, whose rider will be unable to claim in tomorrow’s race, and might prove too strong for Shop Dj, in front when falling at the last in the hot mares event won by Blazing Tempo at Clonmel.
At Navan today, the Willie Mullins-trained Turban, a smooth winner on his Irish debut in Thurles, might follow-up in the Meath Novice Hurdle while Jim Will Fix It, narrowly beaten by Bishopsfurze on his fencing bow at Thurles, might get the better of Popcorn in the Irish Stallion Farms Novice Chase.
